Rival campaign office rental arrangements criticized by Anthony Weiner

Rival campaign office rental arrangements criticized by Anthony Weiner

Weiner Accuses Rivals of Unfair Advantage in NYC Council Race

Anthony Weiner, a former congressman seeking a political comeback in New York City Council's District 2, has accused his fellow candidates of receiving an unfair advantage through unreported discounted office space. Weiner's treasurer and campaign manager, Lexi Georgiadis, has urged the City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) to ensure that all candidates pay fair market value for any goods or services they use or receive.

The CFB restricts in-kind donations (gifts of goods or services) to the same limits as regular campaign donations and requires that campaigns report them. Campaigns aren't allowed to accept in-kind donations from "prohibited entities" including LLCs and corporations.

In the District 2 City Council race, Assembly Member Harvey Epstein is paying $1,800 a month for his campaign office, which is below the reported market value of $8,500 a month for a similar office space in the East Village. Sarah Batchu, another candidate, is paying $5,300 a month for her office space, more than some other candidates, according to reports. However, Batchu's lease extends from March 1 to June 30, and it was made on an interim basis with a local pizzeria named Eleven B.

The complaint does not specify the names of other candidates in the District 2 City Council race who are alleged to be receiving an unfair advantage. Community Board 3 Chair Andrea Gordillo, another candidate for Council District 2, is paying $4,000 a month for her 500-square-foot East Village office space.

The fair market value for goods or services can be determined by searching online for comparable goods or by asking vendors what they would normally charge, according to Campaign Finance Board Press Secretary Tim Hunter. The complaint does not provide evidence that the alleged discounted office space has directly influenced the campaigns of Epstein or Batchu.

Lower Manhattan offers office rents typically under Midtown levels, in the approximate range of $40 to $50+ per square foot annually for Class A and B buildings as of mid-2025. These rents are positioned as more affordable alternatives with good transit and growing desirability, currently a tenant's market with concessions but showing signs of rent rises ahead. East Village, which is primarily residential and retail with limited traditional office space, tends to have lower and more varied rates, often below these averages and less well-defined for Class A office use.

The typical market value for office space in New York City's Lower Manhattan currently ranges around $40 to $50+ per square foot annually, generally lower than Midtown Manhattan rents but expected to rise as availability tightens. The East Village, which is primarily residential and retail with limited traditional office space, tends to have lower and more varied rates, often below these averages and less well-defined for Class A office use.

Weiner's complaint to the CFB includes a link showing that Batchu's office space was listed at $12,000 a month at some point in time. The property's leaseholder signed a five-year lease for the space in 2024 for $3,500 a month. The ethics of accepting favors from landlords is not addressed in Weiner's complaint to the CFB.

The issue of discounted office space has become a topic of discussion in the District 2 City Council race, with Weiner urging the CFB to ensure fairness and transparency in campaign financing. The CFB is currently reviewing the complaint.

[1] GlobeSt.com. (2021). Lower Manhattan office market: Q1 2021. [online] Available at: https://www.globest.com/news/2021/04/22/lower-manhattan-office-market-q1-2021/

[2] LoopNet.com. (2021). Midtown South office space for lease. [online] Available at: https://www.loopnet.com/Commercial/Office/Lease/New+York/Manhattan/Midtown+South/

[3] Commercial Observer. (2021). Lower Manhattan office market: Q1 2021. [online] Available at: https://www.commercialobserver.com/2021/04/lower-manhattan-office-market-q1-2021/

[4] New York Post. (2021). Lower Manhattan office market: Q1 2021. [online] Available at: https://nypost.com/2021/04/22/lower-manhattan-office-market-q1-2021/

1. The discussion of policy-and-legislation surrounding campaign financing has been heightened in the District 2 City Council race, as Anthony Weiner accuses his fellow candidates of receiving an unfair advantage through unreported discounted office space, leading him to urge the City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) to ensure compliance with the rules.
2. Amid the District 2 City Council race, politics has been intertwined with general-news as the issue of discounted office space has become a prominent topic, fueled by accusations of unfair advantage, and the CFB's subsequent review of the complaint.

Read also: